Diagonally equalized rail truck



June 5, 1956 A. o. WILLIAMS DIAGONALLY EQUALIZED RAIL TRUCK 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 27, 1948 mw, 8 fl E 3 mm 5 1:. 8 MBas a m R. Eu K 0 w o d D E \X mm L AV. E 8 mm on m \m wm ATTY.

June 5, 1956 A. o. WILLIAMS DIAGONALLY EQUALIZED RAIL TRUCK OriginalFiled Feb. 27, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 .5 h 5 MN 02 wn mm R 2 .8 mm P Qa g mr u r m. m m s mm m m 8 mw wmww 5 Q vm 8 N ATTY DIAGONALLYEQUALIZED RAIL TRUCK Alfred 0. Williams, Battle Creek, Mich., assignorto Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich., a corporation of MichiganOriginal application February 27, 1948, Serial No. 11,411,

now Patent No. 2,561,541, dated July 24, 1951. Divided and thisapplication September 22, 1948, Serial No. 50,575

4 Claims. (Cl. 105-194) This invention relates to rail car trucks andmore particularly is concerned with a rail car truck for use on streetrailways, elevated lines, and subways. The present application is adivision of my co-pending application Serial #l1,411, filed February 27,1948, now Patent 2,561,549 issued July 24, 1951.

With high speed operation of such vehicles, it is desirable thatstability be provided for the axles of the truck to prevent rocking ofthe vehicle under high speed when track irregularities are encountered.For this reason, the present invention contemplates a truck in which theaxles are held in absolute parallelism by a rectangular frameconstruction which is disposed about the outboard side of the wheels andhas elements thereof extending transversely of the truck beyond thewheels.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of means forallowing, at diagonally opposed points in the truck, relative movementof the axle with respect to the truck frame, whereby verticalirregularities in the track can be negotiated by the truck withoutimparting twisting and bending stresses to the truck .frame.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear morefully from the following detailed description, which, taken. inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to thoseskilled in the art, the particular construction and operation ofpreferred forms of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a truck construction embodying thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view partly in section, of the truckshown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is pro vided a truckhaving a rectangular frame construction consisting of two transverse endelements 5, preferably in the form of tubular cross members which aresecured in the extending ends of the side frame members 6 as by weldingor the like. Each of the side frame members 6 comprises a substantiallytubular dropped central portion 7, having arched end portions 8,extending over the projecting shafts which extend out of the axlehousing, indicated generally at 9 These arched portions 8, at one pairof diagonal corners of the main frame, are adapted to be clampeddirectly to the corresponding end portions 10 of the side frameelements, about the ends of the transverse axles 18 and 37. As bestshown in Figure 2, the inner race 21 of a bearing assembly is mounted onthe end of the axle 18 and concentrically disposed about the outer race22 of the bearing assembly is a cylindrical journal housing 100.Interposed between the housing 100 and the frame elements 8 and 10 is aresilient bushing or sleeve member 12. The aforedescribed mounting ofthe frame elements 8 and 10 about the axle 18 maintains the axle 18 atright angles with respect to the frame while permitting nit StatesPatent limited rotation to take place between the axle 18 and frameelements 8 and 10. A similar mounting is provided at the oppositediagonal corner of the truck for supporting the frame 6 on the end ofthe axle 37.

At the opposite end of the side frame member 7, the arched portion 8,thereof, terminates in an inverted basket shaped portion 13, whichreceives an inverted cup shaped rubber cushioning element 14, seatedover an extending boss 15, formed as half of a bracket supported by theaxle 37.

The member 15 is secured to an extension member 17, projecting forwardlyof the truck, about the axle 37. The inner race 38 of a bearing assemblyis mounted on the end of the axle 37 and concentrically disposed aboutthe outer race 39 of the bearing assembly is a cylindrical journalhousing 41. Interposed between the housing 41 and the frame elements 15and 17 is a resilient bushing or sleeve member 12. The inverted basketshaped portion 13 is pivotally mounted to the extending boss 15 by meansof a safety or retaining pin 18'. 1

'From the foregoing description, it will be observed that although theaxle 37 is maintained at right angles with respect to the extensionmember 17, relative rotation between the members 13 and 15 is permitted,thus providing a resilient and flexible joint in the truck frame whichwill accommodate vertical movement of one end of the axle. The frame 6is mounted in a similar manner to the axle 1% at the opposite diagonalcorner of the truck.

By providing flexible joints between the axles and truck frame atopposite diagonal corners thereof, the truck is hinged or articulatedabout the center line AA, as shown in Figure 1. If the truck is raisedat either or both of the diagonal corners of the truck adjacent theflexible joints, the frame will hinge along line A-A leaving the wheelsadjacent the opposite pair of diagonal corners on the rails. if thetruck is raised at either or both of the diagonal corners of the truck,adjacent the fixed connections between frame and axle, the frame willalso hinge along line AA leaving the wheels adjacent the flexible jointson the rails.

Extending between the two side frame members. 7 transversely of thetruck is a substantially rectangular sub-frame member, including thetransverse cross frames 20, which at their ends are interconnected by adepending normally extending end member 83, having cap portions 84,forming a depending cradle element. Intermediate their ends, the members21) have opposed arcuate portions for receiving the electric motors 23,which are bolted thereto, these motors having extending shaft portions24 connected through suitable universal joints to the ends of pinionshafts 25, which project into the gear housings 26, containing the ringand pinion gears by which the axle shafts within the housings 9 aredriven. Suitable brake mechanisms, indicated generally at 27, areprovided for each of the axle shafts, and the wheels for such shafts aremounted at the ends of the axles inwardly of the journals for the shaftsand on the inboard side of the side frame members 7, the wheels beingindicated at 28.

Suitable journals are provided at the extending ends of the shafts, asdescribed previously, the outer shell of these journals being receivedwithin the rubber sleeves 12, upon which the side frame members aresupported, such journal assemblies being indicated generally at 74 inFigure 1.

To support the gear housings on the axle housings 9 against torquereactions caused by acceleration or braking, the gear housing portions26 thereof have extending brackets 30 bolted or otherwise suitablysecured thereto, which are adapted to receive cap members 32, encirclingthe transverse cross members 5. Suitable rubber sleeves or bushings 33are interposed between the inner peripheries of the extending brackets30 and adjacent outer peripheries of the cross shafts 5, whereby thehousing is resiliently cushioned against torque reactions by connectionto the cross members.

The car body of the vehicle is supported through a center plate mountedupon a transversely extending bolster member indicated generally at 34in Figure 1, which bolster has enlarged end portions 35. Mounted on thebolster 34 adjacent the enlarged ends 35 thereof are rubber bumperelements 42, adapted upon transverse oscillation of the bolster to abutagainst the portion 43 of a reaction member, indicated generally at 46,this member extending above the frame member 7, and having inwardlyextending opposed arm portions 44 and being secured to the top of thearched portions 8 of the side frame member as indicated at 45 in Figure2.

Suitable rubber cushioning elements, indicated at 90 in Figure 2, andbearing against the sides of the bolster ends 35, are adapted to be heldwithin recessed bosses 92, carried by the opposed arms 44 for cushioningthe bolster against movement in the longitudinal plane of the truck.Each end of the bolster is thus arranged for cushioned support in alongitudinal direction between the extending arms 44 of the member 43.

Secured to the under surface of the bolster end 35 as shown in Figure 2,is a plurality of vertically arranged spring elements consisting ofrubber elements or cushions, carried between thin metal plates to whichopposite sides of the cushions are vulcanized and indicated as a unit bythe reference numeral 78, which unit is adapted to rest upon a baseportion 79 of a generally U-shaped cradle member, having its oppositeends formed into extending cap portions 80, extending fore and aft ofthe vehicle above the side frame member 7. The cap portions 80 of thiscradle member, in turn, are adapted to be supported through acorresponding plurality of rubber cushioning elements 82, which, inturn, are supported upon suitably fiattecl portions of the cradleportion 83 of the sub-frame assembly 20.

Thus, it will be apparent that the vertical load upon the bolster 34 istransmitted through the cushioning unit 78, to the cradle 79, and thencethrough the cushioning units 82 to the cradle 83. From this point, theload is transmitted through the cap portions 84 of the members 20 into adouble coiled spring element 8586, shown at the right hand side ofFigure 2, or as an optional arrangement, a heavy coil spring element 87and rubber cushioning element 88, adapted to bottom upon a pedestal 89,carried on the side frame member 7, as shown at the left hand side ofFigure 2. In either event, the spring elements 85-86 or 87-88 aredisposed at and seated against the end portions of the transverse member20, directly below the extending arm portions 76 of the member 43, andthe load from the bolster is thereby transmitted to the side framemembers 7 and thence to the axles.

The side frame members 7, are also arranged to provide a support attheir journal mountings upon the axle shafts, for a laterally outwardlyextending track contact shoe (not shown), adapted to engage the thirdrail or power rail of the electric system for the vehicle. The contactshoe is adapted to be carried upon a beam member 72, shown in Figure 1,which beam member is provided with connecting brackets at each of itsends, as at 73, adapted to be connected to and supported upon the endclosure plate 74, enclosing the journal bearings for the shafts, whichare journalled within the side frame members 7 and extend outwardly fromthe wheels 28.

There is also provided a horizontally arranged shock absorbing membercomprising the member 75, which at its opposite ends is pivotallymounted through suitable rubber bushings to a bracket 76 carriedadjacent to the center of the bolster 34 and a second bracket 77 securedto one of the arms 44 of the reaction member 43.

It is therefore believed that I have provided a rail truck of the classdescribed, in which the axles are supported against movement out ofparallel relationship by :1 rectangular frame member disposed about theoutboard sides thereof, which frame member, however, at diagonallyopposed points, provides for limited rocking action to accommodate thetruck to track irregularities, without imposing any appreciable stresson the truck frame. Similarly, the present construction also providesfor absorbing the reaction between the frame and the axle housing,inasmuch as the corresponding members of the frame can thus form theanchor for the axle housing.

I claim:

1. A rail truck including a pair of driving axles, a substantiallyrectangular main frame comprising a pair of side frame members havingcentral depressed portions provided with two pairs of arched ends withone diagonal pair of ends being disposed over the ends of each of saidaxles, a first pair of short projecting arms connected at their one endsto said one diagonal pair of arched ends to form journal supports forone diagonal pair of axle ends, a second pair of short projecting armsadapted at their one ends to provide journal supports for the otherdiagonal pair of axle ends, the other diagonal pair of said arched endsbeing resiliently supported on said second pair of short projectingarms, and pin connections between said second pair of short projectingarms and said other pair of arched ends of said central portions of saidside frame members.

2. A rail car truck including a pair of axles, a substantiallyrectangular main frame having a pair of longitudinally extending sideframe members, a first pair of short projecting arms connected at theirone ends to one diagonal pair of ends of said side frame members to formjournal housings for one diagonal pair of axle ends, journal means forthe other diagonal pair of axle ends, a second pair of short projectingarms, said journal means being mounted for limited rotative movement insaid second pair of short projecting arms, and the other diagonal pairof ends of said side frame members being pivotally mounted to saidsecond pair of short projecting arms.

3. A rail car truck including a pair of axles, a substantiallyrectangular main frame having a pair of longitudinally extending sideframe members, a pair of short projecting arms, said axles at their onediagonal pair of ends being journaled in one diagonal pair of ends ofsaid side frame members and at their other diagonal pair of ends in saidshort projecting arms, and the other diagonal pair of ends of said sideframe members being pivotally mounted to said short projecting armsabout axes spaced from the axes of said axles.

4. A rail car truck including a pair of axles, a substantiallyrectangular main frame having a pair of longitudinally extending sideframe members, a pair of short projecting arms, said axles at their onediagonal pair of ends being journaled in one diagonal pair of ends ofsaid side frame members and at their other diagonal pair of ends in saidshort projecting arms, and the other diagonal pair of ends of said sideframe members being pivotally mounted to said short projecting armsabout axes spaced vertically above and to one side of the axes of saidaxles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

